Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates



y 3, 1966 H. E. DANIELS 3,249,202

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES Filed May 21, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 1 I A N g INVENTOR.

HERBERT E. DANIELS. BY

HIS ATTORNEY.

H. E. DANIELS 3,249,202

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES May 3, 1966 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 21, 1964 IN V EN TOR.

HERBERT E. DANIELS. BY W W HIS ATTORNEY.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES Filed May 21, 1964 H. E.DANIELS May 3, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

HERBERT E. DANIELS.

HIS ATTORNEY.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES Filed May 21, 1964 H. E.DANIELS May 3, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

HERBERT E. DANIELS.

HIS ATTORNEY.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES Filed May 21, 1964 H. E.DANIELS May 3, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 a}: "I. H 7 O 7 3 4 3 1 U. 31/ w B2 l a I M 0 l l 2 .L I L w .l/lf. u 8 l r 3 I I 6 3 0 O B v, B 2 w & 2 B9 2. m G lpdrtw .I n lll 11 W 7. W a l w L m a l 2 8 M L Q N 2 2 G I I rJ r. f 5 2 2 F v w m w w M I 2 G 1 O B M w 1||||L|l-|| 4 5 "m fi v m m ca w 2 V m 2 M F. ---:-u r I l l l n A 4 r/ .2 1 a l. o 5 5 I. 7 8

IN VEN TOR.

E. ANIELS.

HIS ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,249,202 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINTPLATES Herbert E. Daniels, Orange, N.J., assignor to Jampol Corporation,Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 21, 1964, Ser. No.369,196 10 Claims. (Cl. 19833) This invention has to do with apparatusfor handling stereotype printing plates of semi-circular form. Theseplates are attached in pairs to the cylinders of high-speed printingpresses such as used in printing newspapers.

In the large newspaper pressrooms, up to 1,000 of these stereotypeplates are used in printing an edition of the paper. These plates areformed of type metal, and weight approximately 40 lbs. each, with theresult that several tons of metal are used in making the plates for oneedition of the paper. the plates from the press immediately on thecompletion of the printing of each edition of the paper. The used platesare then returned to the stereotype room where the plates are re-melted,and used in forming the print plates for the next edition of the paper.

In order to set up the presses for a run, it is necessary to commencethe removal of the used plates immediately after the days edition hasbeen printed, and to mount the plates for the next days edition so thatthe entire press will be set up and ready to run on time. This resultsin an accumulation of used plates as the re-melting pots and theplate-forming machines in the stereotype room cannot handle the platesas rapidly as they are removed from the press.

These print plates are of appreciable length and are conveyed from thepresses in horizontal position. Ac cordingly, in order to handle anaccumulation of several hundred of these plates at a time, it is nownecessary to manually remove the plates from the conveyor and stand themon end on the floor, and then as plates are required for the re-meltingpots, they are removed from the accumulation on the floor and returnedto the conveyor.

This invention has as an object stereotype plate handling apparatusincluding a conveyor arrangement extending from the pressroom to there-melting room, and embodying an arrangement which functionsautomatically to upend the plates in nested arrangement on the conveyor,whereby a substantial number of the vertically disposed nested platesoccupy the conveyor space occupied by one plate in horizontal position.

The invention has a further object; means for successively separatingthe vertically disposed plates from the accumulated supply andtransferring the separated plates .to an out-feed conveyer fortransporting the plates to the re-melting room.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations andconstructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in allthe views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic layout of an arrangement including the platehandling apparatus embodying my invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view taken on line 22, FIGURE l,

with parts broken away and parts in section.

FIGURE 3 is a view taken on line 33, FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing a print plate inpartially raised position.

FIGURE 5 is a view taken on line 5-5, FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a view taken on a line corresponding to line 6-6, FIGURE 1.

This necessitates the removal of 3,249,202 Patented May 3, 1966 formedplates from the stereotype room for application to the presses. There isa conveyor, section 25, connected to the section 23, and it functions toconvey used plates, indicated at 27, to an upending mechanism indicatedgenerally at 30. The used plates 27 are advanced from the press area inhorizontal position with the concave sides of the plates facingdownwardly; the plates being arranged with their axis extendinglength-wise of the conveyor.

The mechanism 30 engages each of the advancing plates 27 and moves it tovertical position. The vertically disposed plates, indicated at 28, areadvanced to a plate separating means indicated generally at 33. There isa plate stop at the separating mechanism 33, and inasmuch as theconveyor section 31 runs continuously, the upended plates 28, with theirconcave sides facing forwardly, bunch up into a stack or nestedformation to provide an accumulated supply indicated at 35. Asadditional metal is needed to supply the re-qnelt pot indicated at 37,the

plates are separated one by one from the accumulated supply 35 andtransferred to the re-melt pot 37. The conveyor section 23 is connectedto the section 25 by a curved section 38. The section 25 is connected'tothe section 31 by a curved section 39.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, the conveyor section 31 consists of aseries of load rolls 40; each of which has journalled at its endsrollers 41 movable along guide tracks 42. The guide tracks 42 arefixedly secured to channel side members 43 mounted on side frames 44,supported by adjustable foot members 45. The rolls 40 are connected attheir ends to endless chains 50, trained over pairs of sprockets, onepair of which is shown at 51, FIGURE 7. The print plates are conveyed bythe upper run of the conveyor as will be apparent and the rolls in thelower return run of the conveyor are supported by angle track members 53(see FIGURES 2 and 6).

Referring to FIGURES 2 and 3, an inverted U-shaped bracket 57 is fixedlysecured to the side members 43. The top portion 58 of this bracket isspaced at distance above the upper run of the conveyor section 31. Apair of channel members 60 are fixedly secured tothe top portion 58 ofthe bracket, as by angle member 61. The channel members 60 extendupwardly in spaced relation with their open sides facing inwardly. Achannel member 62 is positioned between the uprights 60, and has afiixedto each side flange a pair of rollers 63 movable in the channel members60. There is an actuating cylinder 65 fixedly secured in the upper endportions of the channel members 60, and has a piston rod 67 connected tothe upper end of the channel member 62. The cylinder piston structure65, 67 functions to efliect' vertical reciprocation of the channelmember 62.

A plate engaging member is aflixed to the lower end of the channelmember 62. This member is in the form of a stem 70, extending rearwardlyfrom the member 62 and being provided at its end with a verticallydisposed bar 71. Normally, the member 62 is in the down position asshown by dotted outline at 73, FIGURE 3. In this position, the forwardend portion of an advancing plate 27 will pass over the plate engagingmember 70, 71. Fluid is furnished to the lower port 73 of cylinder 65causing the piston rod 67 to move upwardly to the full line positionshown in FIGURE 3. This upward movement of the plate engaging memberraises the front end of the plate. In FIGURE 4, the plate 27 is shown asit moved approximately half Way to the full vertically position shown inFIGURE 3.

Inorder to make certain that the plate being upended does not collidewith the next succeeding plate, the conveyor 31 is provided with anaccelerating section in the form of a plate 75, FIGURES 3 and 4, fixedbetween the conveyor side members 43. The plate 75 is supported by oneof the cross members 77 extending transversely between the frame members44. The plate 75 is positioned vertically so that the rollers 40 engagethe plate and are caused to roll along the same during the forwardadvancement. As is well known in the conveyor art, this results indoubling the speed of the article advancing on the conveyor.Accordingly, as the rollers 40 supporting a plate 2.7 engage theaccelerating plate '75, the print plate is advanced at twice the speedto make certain of a space between that print plate and the nextsucceeding print plate- Provision is made to avoid the possibility of aplate being upended from tipping over backwards. This is accomplished bya bracket 80 fixedly secured to'the lower ends of the vertical guides60, as by a transversely disposed angle plate 81 fixedly secured to thebracket 80 and to the members 60. The bracket 80 extends downwardly fromthe members 60 and there is a roller 83 Y journalled on the lower end ofthe bracket. The arrangement is such that the roller 83 extendsdownwardly a distance below the upper end of the upended plate, andrearwardly from the member 62 a distance to accommodate the upper end ofthe upended plate. As shown in FIGURE 4, the print plate being upendedis engaged by the roller 83.

The member 62 and the print plate engaging member 70, 71 continueupwardly a distance above the upper edge of the upended plate as shownin full line FIGURES 2 and 3.

As the print plate 27 is advanced by the accelerating section of theconveyor, it engages an actuator 85 associated with a switch 86 mountedon the side frame of the conveyor. Closing the contacts of switch 86'completes a circuit from the side 87 of the line, FIGURE 8, wire 88,switch 86, wire 89, solenoid valve 90, wire 91, to the opposite side 92of the supply. Energization of the solenoid valve 90 supplies fluid tothe port '73 to effect upward movement of. the plate engaging member. Itis to be remembered that the rolls 40 of the conveyor section 1 31advance continuously.

From reference to FIGURE 4, it will be apparent that as the print plateis being upended, the rear corner edges are positioned between a pair ofthe rolls 40- and the forward movement of these rolls, in conjunctionwith g the upward movement of the plate engaging member, ef-

fect upending of the plate in a very short interval of time.

During this upending, the plate is advanced forwardly and when in fullupended position with the concave side of the plate facing forwardly,the side edges of the plate engage stop pins 100 which are normallypositioned inwardly over the conveyor, as shown in dotted outline,FIGURE 2. These pins serve to assist in preventing rearward tipping ofthe upended plate immediately following this upending operation.

Also, the stop pins 100 prevent further forward movement of the plateuntil the plate engaging member 70, 71, has moved upwardly above theupper end of the vertically disposed plate.

In this full upended position, it will be observed, referring to FIGURE3, that the plate has been advanced forwardly of the acceleratingsection.

When the channel member 62 approaches the end of its upward movement, itengages an actuator 103 associated with switch 104. The switch 104 hascontacts 105, 106, operable alternately in unison. Upon engagement ofthe actuator 103 by the channel member 62, contact 106 is closed andcontact 105 opened. This establishes a cir- 4 cuit from the side 87through wire 107, contact 106, wire 10-8, solenoid coil 109 of solenoid110, wire 111, to the side 92. Energization of coil 109 causes solenoid110 to move the stop pin 100 outwardly, as shown in full outline, FIGURE2.

Thereupon the upended plate is moved forwardly by the conveyor andengages an actuator 1'13 associated with the switch 114. The closing ofthe contacts of switch 114 establishes a circuit from the side v87,FIGURE 8, through wire 115, contacts 114,'wire 116, solenoid valve 117,wire 91,-.to the side 92. Energization of the solenoid valve 117supplies fluid to the upper port 20 of cylinder 65, effecting downwardmovement of the member 62. The spacing of the switch 114 is such thatupended plate has now moved forwardly to clear the downwardly descendingplate engaging member 70, 71. Movement of the member 62 downwardly outof engagement with the actuator 103 opens the contacts 106 of switch104, and closes the contacts 105. Accordingly, there is now a circuitfrom side 87, wire 121, contact 1%, wire 122, solenoid coil 123 ofsolenoid 110, to elfect inward movement of the stop pins 100 forengagement by the next succeeding plate when it isupended.

' Forwardly or downstream from the switch 114, there is a pair of lightsources 130, 131, arranged at one side of the conveyor. On the oppositeside of the conveyor therein registered with the light sources arephoto-electric cells 132, 133, FIGURE 5. The space of the light sourcesand photocellsis less than the length of a print plate in horizontalposition on the conveyor, but more than the front to back dimension of avertically disposed plate. If, for any reason, a print plate should tipforwardly or rearwardly to horizontal position, the bearns from thelight sources 130, 131, will be interrupted by the horizontally disposedplate effecting closing of the contact 134 of photo-cell 132 and thecontact 136 of photo-cell 133, establishing a circuit to motorcontroller 133 to open the contacts thereof to de-energize motor 135,FIGURE 7, and stop further operation of the conveyor section 31.

The plates are advanced forwardly to the accumulated supply 35. Thereare a pair of plate stops 140 activated vertically by a fluid cylinder141. t In FIGURE 7, the stops are shown in up position to engage thefirst upended plate in the series. As previously stated, the conveyorsection 31 runs continuously, the rolls 40 thereof readily passingunderneath the plate stopped by the stops 140. The next upended plate ismoved into engagement with a plate positioned against the stops 140, andthe upended plates thus are moved into a nested accumulation,asindicated in 35, FIGURE 1. The plates are tightly nested because of thecontinuous forward movement of the conveyor, with the result thatseveral of the upended plates only occupy the space occupied by a platein horizontal position.

This means in a large press room, up to 1,000 plates can be accumulatedon'the conveyor section 31 between the upending mechanism and the plateseparating mechanism 33.

There is another U-shaped bracket affixed to the conveyor side members43 at the forward end of the accumulated supply 35. There is also a pairof vertically disposed channel members 151 similar to the channelmembers 60,-affixedly mounted on the cross piece 152 of bracket 150, asby angle member 153 (see FIGURES 6 and 7). There is a slide 155 mountedbetween the uprights 151 and it is provided with rollers 157 formovement in the channel members 151. A cylinder 158 is mounted in theupper ends of the members 151 and has a piston rod 159 attached to theupper end of the slide 155. The rear side of the lower portion of theslide 155 inclines rearwardly as at 160, FIGURE 7. This presents a lowerend edge 161 of less dimension in a direction fore and aft than thedistance between the foremost plate indi cated at 162 and the nextsucceeding plate 163 at the central area of the plates (see FIGURE 7).

' more fully explained hereafter.

As previously stated, the constant forward movement of the conveyorsection 31 results in the upended plates 28 being tightly wedgedtogether. Actually, the more plates in the accumulated supply 35, thetighter the plates therein become wedged together. This is advantageousin that it prevents any tumbling or displacement of the plates in thesupply 35 and secondly, it stabilizes the supply so that the first orforemost low plate can be efficiently separated from the supply. It istherefore desirable to always have a substantial number, say ten plates,in the accumulated storage 35. This number of plates is maintained byemployment of a light source 177 positioned at one side of the conveyorand a photo-cell 178- on the opposite side of the conveyor. The lightsource and the photo-cell are so positioned relative to the stop members140 that the beam from the light source 177 is interrupted when at leastthe minimum supply of vertically disposed plates is present. Thephoto-cell 178 is provided with contacts 180, FIGURE 8, which are closedwhen the light beam is interrupted by the supply of plates. There isalso a limit switch 181 provided with an actuator 182, FIGURE 7, engagedby the foremost plate 162. Actuation of the switch 181 means that aplate is available at the downstream end of the accumulated supply 35.Interruption of the light beam from the source 177 indicates that thereis present at least the desired minimum number of plates in theaccumulated supply. With this situation prevailing,-

coupled with the closing of the liquid level switch contact 165, at there-melt pot, a circuit is completed from the side 87, wire 183,'contact165, wire 184, switch contacts 180, wire 185, contacts 186 of switch181, wire 187, relay 188, wire 189, to the side 92. This results in theclosing contact 90 of relay 188 establishing the following circuit. Side87, wire 191, contact 190, wire 1 92, solenoid valve coil 193, wire 194,to the opposite side 92. Energization of the valve coil 193 providesfluid pressure to the inlet port 170 of cylinder 141, causing the .platestops 140 to move downwardly. A branch circuit also extends from wire192, through wire 195, to solenoid valve coil 196, wire 197, to the side92. Energization of coil 196 provides fluid pressure to the upper port167 of cylinder 158 to effect downward movement of the separating member155.

There is a second branch circuit from Wire 192, through wire 200, tosolenoid valve coil 201, wire 203, to the opposite side 92. Energizationof coil 201 provides fluid under pressure to the port 205 of cylinder206, which is pivotally mounted as at 207 to an extension of theconveyor framework. The piston rod 208 of cylinder 206 is operativelyconnected to a transfer plate 210 pivotally mounted, as at 211, to theframework. With fluid admitted to the port 205, the cylinder pistonstructure 206, 208, effects downward movement of the transfer plate 210about the pivot 211 to horizontal position, as indicated in dottedoutline at 213, FIGURE 7.

With the arrangement described, it will be apparent that the operationof the stops 140, separating slide 155, and plate 210, are in unison.The inclined lower end portion of the separating slide 155 entering in'between the foremost plate 162 and the next adjacent plate 163 performsa wedging action separating the plate 162 from the accumulated supply35, and tipping it forward onto the transfer plate 210. The transferplate 210 is of semicircular form and is provided at its .upper end witha notch 215, see FIGURES 6 and 7. The purpose of the notch 215 is toreceive lugs 216 of an out-feed conveyor chain 217. The lugs 216 engagethe under side of the now horizontal plate 218 and move it forwardly offfrom the transfer plate 210 and convey the print plate to the remelt pot37.

As the print plate advances from the transfer plate, it engages a switch220, see FIGURE 1. Closing of the contacts of the switch 220, see FIGURE8, establishes a circuit from the side 87, through switch 220, wire 221,to solenoid valve coil 223 to disconnect fluid pressure from the port205 of cylinder 206, and apply pressure to the port 225 to effect upwardreturn movement of the transfer plate 210.

A branch wire 227 provides a circuit to solenoid valve coil 228 andthence through wire 230, to the side 92. This results in disconnectingfluid pressure to port of cylinder 141, and establishing pressure toport 233 there of to effect upward movement of the stops 140.

Wire 227 also extends to solenoid valve coil 235, the opposite side ofwhich is connected through wire 237, to the opposite side 92 of thecircuit. This disconnects fluid pressure to the upper port 167 ofcylinder 158 and supplies pressure to the lower port 240 thereof toeffect upward movement of the separating slide 155. This permits theaccumulated supplyto be advanced'bythe conveyor to move the nextsucceeding plate 163 into engagement With the actuator 182 of switch 181for a repetition of the operation just described. A timer may be used inconjunction with the switch 181 to regulate the frequency with which theplates are separated and transferred to the conveyor 217, so that therate of plates transferred to the melting pot 37 will be comparable tothe melting rate of the pot.

It will be apparent that by my invention, I have provided apparatus forautomatically handling stereotype print plates including the automaticstorage of several tons of plates, and the conveyance of the used platesto the re-rnelt pot, all without any manual handling of the used plates.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications canbe made in the structural arrangement described without departing fromthe scope of my invention. For example, the conveyor sections 25, 31 and217 may be operated independently at different speeds. The right'endportion of the section 31 immediately downstream from the upendingmechanism 30 may be a separate section operating at say 50 ft. perminute. The remainder of the section 31 may be operated at a speed of 15ft. per minute. This is possible because the vertically positionedplates only occupy approximately two inches of space on the conveyorwhereby the accumulated supply will be more than ample to accommodatethe output of the faster section adjacent the upending device. Thispermits a reduction in required horsepower as well as giving a steadieradvancement to the upended plates. The transfer from the slower sectionto the more rapid section may include an endless belt mounted peroperation above the load conveyors to prevent any tipping of thevertical plates during the transfer from the tion to said conveyor meansfor engagement by the foremost plate advancing on said conveyor means tostop -ad vancement of said vertically disposed plates to form anaccumulated supply of said plates on said conveyor 7.. means, plateseparating means contiguous to said stop member and operable whenactuated to separate the foremost plate in said accumulated supply,plate transfer means operable When actuated to transfer the separatedplate to an outfeed conveyor, and power means for withdrawing said stopmember from engagement with the foremost plate in said accumulatedsupply and effecting operation of said separating and transfer membersin timed relation.

2. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates of semi-circular form,conveyor means for advancing a single file procession of said plates toan upending station, with the concave sides of said plates facing downand their axes extending lengthwise of said conveyor means, a plate.engaging member mounted above said conveyor means at said station, saidmember being normally positioned to be engaged by an advancing plate,means operable upon such-engagement to move said member upwardly, toposition said plate vertically on said conveyor means with the concaveside of the plate facing forwardly, and means operable upon advancementof the vertical plate from said station to return said member to downposition.

3. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates of semi-circular form,conveyor means operable to advance asingle file procession of saidplates with their concave sides facing down to an upending station, aplate engaging member mounted centrally above said conveyor means atsaid station, said member being'normally in down positionfor engagementby an advancing plate, means operable to move said member upwardly to upposition, to move said engaged plate in vertical position on saidconveyor with the concave side of the plate facing forwardly, and meansoperable upon advancement of said vertically disposed plate from saidstation by said conveyor means to return said member to down position.

4. Apparatus for handling stereotype plates as set forth in claim 2including means associated with said plate engaging member to proveentbackward tipping of said plate as the same is moved to verticalposition.

5. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates as defined in claim 2wherein said conveyor means includes any accelerating section foraccelerating the advancement of said plates into engagement with saidplate engaging member.

6. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates of semi-circular form,conveyor means for advancing a single file procession of said plates toan upending station, said print plates being advanced with their concavesides facing downwardly and their axes extending lengthwise .of saidconveyor means, a plate engaging member mounted above said conveyormeans at said station, said engaging member being normally positionedfor engagement by the front end of a print plate, means actuated by aprint plate advancing in proximity to said station to move said plateengaging member upwardly, to move the engaged plate to vertical positionon said conveyor means and means operable upon advancement of thevertically disposed plate from said station to return said plateengaging member to down position.

, 7. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates of semi-circularform, a combination ofconveyor means for advancing a single fileprocession of print plates with their concave sides facing down andtheir axes extending lengthwise ofthe conveyor means, an upendingstation along said conveyor means, a plate engaging member at saidstation for engaging the front end of a print plate, power meansoperable to move said plate engaging member upwardly, to move the printplate engaged thereby to vertical position on said conveyor means withthe concave sides of said vertically disposed plate facing forwardly,and means operable upon the advancement of the vertically disposed platefrom said station to return said power means to down position. i

8. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates as defined in claim 6including an anti-back tipping member mounted above said conveyor meansat said station for engagement by a print plate during the upendingmovement thereof.

9. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates of semi-circular form,conveyor means operable to advance a single file procession of saidplates Withtheir concave sides facing down to an upending station, aplate engaging member mounted centrally above said conveyor means atsaid station, said member being normally in down position for engagementby an advancing plate, means operable to move said member upwardly to upposition to move said engaged plate in vertical position on saidconveyor with the concave side of the plate facing forwardly, stopmembers arranged in juxtaposition to said carrier for engagement by saidupended plate to restrain forward movement thereof by said conveyormeans, means operable upon said plate engaging member in up position toeffect withdrawal of said stop members for advancement of the upendedplate from said station, and means operable upon advancement of saidvertically disposed plate from said station by said conveyor means toreturn said plate engaging member to down position.

10. Apparatus for handling stereotype print plates of semi-circular formto anvupending station, means operable at said station to engage eachadvancingv plate and up-end the same to vertical position, said conveyormeans being operable to advance said tip-ended plates from said stationto an accumulated supply, plate separating means operable to separatesaid up-ended plates successively from said supply, and out-feedconveyor means for conveying said separated plates from said supply.

ReferencesCited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS SAMUEL COLEMAN,Primary Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STEREOTYPE PRINT PLATES OF SEMI-CIRCULAR FORM,CONVEYOR MEANS OPERABLE TO ADVANCE A SINGLE FILE PROCESSION OF STEROTYPEPRINT PLATES OF SEMICIRCULAR FORM IN HORIZONTAL POSITION TO AN UPENDINGSTATION, MECHANISM AT SAID STATION OPERABLE TO ENGAGE EACH PLATEADVANCED BY SAID CONVEYOR MEANS AND MOVE THE PLATE TO VERTICAL POSITIONWITH THE CONCAVE SIDE OF THE PLATE FACING FORWARDLY, SAID CONVEYOR MEANSBEING OPERABLE TO ADVANCE SAID VERTICALLY DISPOSED PLATES FROM SAIDUP-ENDING APPARATUS, A STOP MEMBER LOCATED IN JUXTAPOSITION TO SAIDCONVEYOR MEANS FOR ENGAGEMENT BY THE FOREMOST PLATE ADVANCING ON SAIDCONVEYOR MEANS TO STOP AD-